Woven structure, method and apparatus for a flanged composite component

An apparatus for manufacturing an annular or semi-annular composite component having a circumferentially-extending base and a flange, the apparatus comprising:

• a loom for weaving a woven preform of fibre reinforcement material for the composite component;
• a rotatable mandrel configured to receive and draw the woven preform through the loom for weaving;
• wherein the rotatable mandrel defines a near net shape profile for the composite component, including:
• a base surface extending circumferentially around a rotation axis of the mandrel for defining a radially inner surface of the base of the composite component;
• a flange surface for defining a surface of the flange of the composite component, the flange surface extending from an edge of the base surface along a direction having a radial component, such that a circumferential dimension of an angular portion of the near net shape profile increases along a radial extent of the flange surface;
• and
• a guide disposed between the loom and the rotatable mandrel, the guide defining a guide path therebetween for the woven preform, the guide being configured relative to the loom and the rotatable mandrel to engage a first side of the woven preform opposite to a second side to be received on the near net shape profile of the rotatable mandrel;
• wherein the guide is configured so that a woven preform drawn by the rotatable mandrel along the guide path under tension engages the guide to transition to a flanged profile at a lip of the guide before being received on the mandrel.